Comrades In Arms

The world of insurance journalism is losing two of its most prominent, talented and dedicated players with the retirements of Steve Piontek, editor of NU‘s life and health insurance edition, and Daniel Hays, our own outstanding online news editor.

Mr. Piontek, who was here when I arrived at NU back in 1981, retired on April 30, a day short of his 30th anniversary. I have always admired Steve for his relentless honesty and integrity, as he time and again boldly challenged conventional wisdom in the industry.

Steve was never afraid to speak truth to power in both his lively and provocative columns and more recently via his blog. His signature moment came when he ran an editorial back in the mid-1990s calling for insurers to support gun control efforts for the health and safety of their policyholders.